Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Maryland
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,310
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,030
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,590
- 75th Percentile — Senior$78,590
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,330
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Maryland earn more than $61,590. The top 10% make $100,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,310.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Maryland: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Maryland ranks 26th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $65,930 per year (1.2% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 3,220 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Maryland — 1.6% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.91: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Maryland than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,310; the top 10% earn over $100,330.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.7 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Maryland, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($46,460).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Maryland
Key factors affecting compensation
Maryland's key industries are Government, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $65,930 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Maryland salary of $65,930 is roughly equivalent to $57,330 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($66,910), Missouri ($66,640), Delaware ($66,590) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Maryland
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,460/yr Maryland 29.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $45,180/yr Maryland 31.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $43,950/yr Maryland 33.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $42,750/yr Maryland 35.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $40,120/yr Maryland 39.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $38,340/yr Maryland 41.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $34,260/yr Maryland 48.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,210/yr Maryland 48.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maryland?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Maryland is $65,930 per year (median $61,590), which is 1.2% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Maryland rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Maryland ranks 26th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Maryland?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Maryland earn about $38,310 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,030.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Maryland?
About $31.7 per hour, based on the $65,930 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Maryland?
BLS counts 3,220 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Maryland (OEWS May 2025).
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